Dr. J. Damodharan, MD*
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in the general population, affecting the majority of adults past the age of 50 years. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is approximately one-third to one-half that of total CVD.
No other life-threatening disease is as prevalent or expensive to society. Persons with CVD are likely to die from their disease.
As a diagnostic category, CVD includes three major areas:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) manifested by myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, and coronary death.
- Cerebrovascular disease manifested by stroke and transient ischemic attack
- Peripheral vascular disease manifested by intermittent claudication.
Also of interest, and of increasing importance, are chronic arrhythmias, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and left ventricular hypertrophy, established by electrocardiography or echocardiography.
